US Men's national team captain Clint Dempsey speaks during a press conference Photo: Getty Images

STANFORD, Calif. — U.S. captain Clint Dempsey’s sore left groin has improved, and coach Jurgen Klinsmann plans to start him in the Americans’ second World Cup warmup this weekend against Turkey.

The 23 players geared up for their final workout at Stanford on Thursday, a quick session in the pool, before leaving the Bay Area to fly east. Klinsmann said Dempsey was still slightly limited in his movements by design during Wednesday’s training, avoiding any sideways cuts or runs to avoid re-aggravating the groin. But the coach said Dempsey “definitely” will start Sunday at Red Bull Arena.

“A lot of work [Wednesday]. We kind of made sure he’s not going sideways. That was kind of bothering him and worrying him a little bit,” Klinsmann said. “He’s all good.”